The Illinois Buffer Partnership is a statewide Trees Forever program that promotes and showcases the voluntary efforts of farmers, landowners, and communities. Participants install, maintain, and enhance conservation buffers that reduce soil erosion, improve water and soil quality, and provide wildlife and pollinator habitats.
Annually, between 10 and 20 Illinois Buffer Partnership participants are eligible to receive cost-share assistance, on-site technical assistance from Trees Forever, project signs, and the opportunity to host a field day to highlight their projects. Eligible conservation projects include riparian buffers, livestock buffers, streambank stabilization projects, wetland development, pollinator habitat, rain gardens, and agroforestry.
In 2019 and 2020, Trees Forever provided $42,000 in grant funding and technical assistance to 28 projects across Illinois to plant native trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses to improve water quality, reduce erosion, and provide wildlife and pollinator habitats. Trees Forever provides outreach and education on a wide range of topics, including soil health, riparian buffers, native plants, pollinators, agroforestry, forest and pest management, tree care, improved water and air quality, species diversity, invasive species management, erosion reduction, establishing and maintaining conservation practices, energy efficiency, and plant identification.
Additional information is available at treesforever.org/Illinois_Buffer_Partnership.
